He spoke with all the conviction he had. “Because every one of those is the right thing to do – the right thing for those children you’re going to give Nexus to, the right thing for India, and the right thing for the world. Because in time, if you’re the person I think you are, you would have done them all anyway.”

She looked at him for a moment, her face unchanged, her eyes still studying him.

“And,” Kade said, a smile slowly spreading across his face, “because with my help, your children will do even better.”

20
Election Day

OUTCOME SUDDENLY UNCERTAIN AS ELECTION DAY ARRIVES

Tuesday, 5.31am, Washington DC

American News Network

Polls and analysts gave wildly differing assessments of the likely outcome in the race for the Presidency late Monday night. A barrage of scandals battered the campaign of President John Stockton and bolstered challenger Stanley Kim, but may see their impact muted by the record setting number of early votes cast in this election.

Senator Kim made a videocast appeal to voters on Monday.

<video: Stan Kim stands in suit and tie at a podium, against a backdrop of an American flag, waving in a gentle breeze>

“My fellow Americans, this is a democracy! In a democracy, the candidate chosen by the majority is the one elected to office. It’s clear that today, knowing what we now know, a majority of you would cast your votes for me. If you did vote early, know that the constitution and the laws of the land are clear: your vote is not actually cast until election day, even if you’ve sent it in before then. There is still time to change your vote. And if you decide to do so, and you’re denied that right for any reason, we ask only that you register that fact at the net site that follows…”

The Stockton campaign in turn, has denied the allegations, saying that…

Barb tapped the slate to turn it off, then stepped out of the car – her personal car this time, and walked down the sidewalk towards Town Hall. She took a turn inside the door towards the West Room. She stopped outside to start her phone recording and stuffed it into her shirt pocket. Then she stepped inside, into her designated polling place.

The time was 6.01am.

Jenny Collins was working the table. Bill Banks was in uniform, providing security. No one else was there.

Barb walked up to Jenny.

“My name is Barbara Ann Richmond, and I want to change my vote.”

21
Goodbyes

Tuesday 2040.11.06

Rangan said goodbye to the boys in the hidden basement of a farm supply store on the outskirts of Palmyra. There were tears. He almost couldn’t bear it.

He hugged them all tight, said as much as he could.

I’ll see you in a few days, he sent.

But he didn’t sound convincing even to himself.